Come A-Wassailing Your Way With Lake County Holiday Libations 2025
By: Sam Ornig 12/05/2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for festive fun, food and, of course, seasonal holiday beverages! Explore the creative libations brewers, distillers and wine makers have crafted throughout Lake County’s Libation Trail. Savor winter’s distinct flavors as you Holiday Your Way around Lake County, sipping everything from rich beers and bold wines to ornate cocktails and other imaginative drinks, featuring peppermint, cranberry, winter spices and more.
Whether you’re enjoying a glass on your own or stocking up for your holiday parties, Lake County’s makers are promising festive, cheerful vibes in every drop. There’s no place like Lake County for the holidays!
Your What Hurts? Imperial Stout | 7.5% ABV
Everyone can use a little extra pep during the holiday season, which is why this creation from Black Lung Brewing is perfect for December. Your What Hurts? is a rich, full-bodied imperial stout made with roasted, chocolatey malts steeped with a local coffee blend to give you a delicious, slightly bitter taste and a little bit of caffeine to help you get through your day. Enjoy a pint of this robust stout this winter!
Black Lung Brewing Locations:
Round Lake Beach Taproom, 2217 N. Illinois Rte 83, Round Lake Beach.
Fox Lake Taproom, 115 Nippersink Rd., Fox Lake.
Grayslake Taproom, 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake.
2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Pour a glass of Broken Earth Winery's 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and let its layers of raspberry, vanilla and warm spice dance off your taste buds for a truly delightful and holiday friendly wine. With soft and inviting tannins, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers a long, velvet-lined finish. Whether pairing with a meal, dessert or on its own, you will find joy in every sip of this creation from Broken Earth Winery.
Broken Earth Winery, 219 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove.
Shanktastic Kettle Sour | 5.4% ABV
Sour beer enthusiasts are going to love the Shanktastic Kettle Sour from Broken Tee Brewing! The refreshing blackberry sour is tart and utterly delicious with a beautiful pink color. Grab a case of Shanktastic to bring home or give as a gift. This beer will remind you of the warmer, summer days during this chilly season.
Broken Tee Brewing Co., 406 Green Bay Rd., Highwood.
Hallows Russian Imperial Stout | 14% ABV
Buffalo Creek's barrel-aged Hallows Russian Imperial Stout returns just in time to tantalize your tastebuds this holiday season. This sipper is rich with dark malts that meet a burst of fresh hops for a perfectly balanced brew crafted for the colder months. Pick up a growler at the Long Grove brewery and drink this hearty brew by the warm fire for a wonderful winter treat.
Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove.
Pecan Old Fashioned
Elevate your holiday spirits with a taste of Copper Fiddle Distillery’s Pecan Old Fashioned. As the season unfolds, this beverage is the perfect drink to share moments of joy with friends and family. The Pecan Old Fashioned is a celebration in a glass, with pecan bitters, house-made pecan syrup, demerara sugar and sea salt mixed with Copper Fiddle's Bourbon Whiskey and topped with candied pecans to create a sensory experience that resonates with the festive spirit. For a limited time, try this cocktail with Copper Fiddle's first five-year cask strength bourbon — with only 44 bottles made, this small-batch creation makes the perfect gift for a loved one or yourself.
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. Illinois Route 22, Ste. 110, Lake Zurich.
Coffee-tini | 4.9% ABV
Kick your cocktail up a notch with Feather Glass Wine Bar's Coffee-tini, a special take on an espresso martini. This creation presents a smoother and more indulgent experience than a traditional espresso, offering a delicious rich coffee flavor and a touch of elegance with Feather Glass Premium Vodka, coffee, chai liqueur, vanilla, chocolate syrup and a coffee garnish. Make your holidays even brighter with the Coffee-tini this season.
Feather Glass Winery and Eatery, 700 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 130, Vernon Hills.
Vin Glogg | 13% ABV
This season, enjoy the Glunz Family Winery’s winter red blend varietal, the Vin Glogg. The Vin Glogg is a harmonious marriage of half dry red wine and half port, expertly blended with a symphony of spices including cinnamon, cardamom and orange peel. This distinctive concoction is intended to be heated and promises to warm you from the winter chill. Indulge in the spirit of the holidays with the Vin Glogg — a celebration in a glass from the heart of Grayslake.
Glunz Family Winery and Cellars, 888 E. Belvidere Rd., Ste. 107, Grayslake.
Everyday Lager | 5% ABV
If you're looking for more of a classic brew to enjoy and less of a seasonal ale, give Half Day Brewing's Everyday Lager a shot. With a crisp, light and refreshing taste and mouthfeel, this is sure to become a new favorite in your beer lineup. Grab a pint on draft at the Lincolnshire brewery and cheers to a happy holiday and New Year!
Half Day Brewing Company, 200 Village Green S., Lincolnshire.
Winter Spice Lager | 5% ABV
Enjoy a tall glass of Harbor Brewing's Winter Spice Lager, a festive winter beer that's sure to keep your tastebuds happy this holiday season. To create this delightful brew, Harbor Brewing took a crisp amber lager with malt and hop complexity and amped it up with orange and cinnamon. This is not your average winter beer that's often dark and overridden with spices. The Winter Spice Lager is bright with aromatic spice that warms your mouth with a crisp clean finish of juicy citrus.
Harbor Brewing Company locations:
Lake Villa Taproom, 136 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa.
Winthrop Harbor Taproom, 811 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor.
Lakefront Biergarten, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor. (Closed For The Season)
Cranberry Wine | 10.5% ABV
Lynfred Winery in Highland Park invites visitors to try its cranberry wine, made from 100% Wisconsin-grown cranberries. Bold and bright, the wine balances natural sweetness with refreshing acidity. Flavors of cranberry, wild berries and plum come together in a medium-bodied wine with a crisp, clean finish. This versatile wine is good on its own, as a sparkling spritzer or paired with seasonal desserts, tarts and cheeses. Its lively character and holiday-ready flavor make it a standout choice for winter sipping.
Lynfred Winery Locations:
Lynfred Winery Highland Park, 1823 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park.
Lynfred Winery Roselle, 15 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle.
Lynfred Winery Wheeling, 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
Santa's Magic | 8.2% ABV
Join Mickey Finn's Brewery & Pub in celebrating the holidays with their most beloved seasonal creation: Santa's Magic, a Belgian Strong Golden Ale. Indulge in the enchanting flavors of this festive brew, with essence of pear and stone fruits and subtle hints of clove and spice. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or a casual sipper, this Belgian Strong Golden Ale invites you to "Feel The Magic!" Don't miss out on the opportunity to add a touch of enchantment to your festive moments.
Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 North Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
Hot Toddy
Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing is celebrating the holidays with a winter classic: the Hot Toddy. And, to make it extra special, you can get it with whatever liquor you desire—gin, rum, Scotch or even vodka. Enjoy a nice hot and delicious mix of honey, lemon and spices exactly how you like it. This warm, spicy libation is sure to heat you up and melt the chill away this holiday season.
Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing Company, 216 W. Clayton St., Waukegan.
1st Hour Haze New England Hazy IPA | 6.6% ABV
If you're in the mood for a drink that will remind you of warmer days, look no further than 9th Hour Brewing's 1st Hour Haze. This hazy IPA packs a flavor punch of grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple and orange, with a tropical and fruity aroma. This easy-drinker has only a small amount of bitterness and finishes with a smooth and creamy feel.
9th Hour Brewing Co., 136 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa.
Kringle Juice | 47% ABV
Travel to the Caribbean this Christmas with North Shore Distillery’s holiday masterpiece, Kringle Juice. Featuring North Shore’s distinctive Gin No. 6, Kringle Juice blends classic winter spices and flavors with tropical tastes like passionfruit and pineapple, making you feel like you’re on a sunny beach in paradise. Liven up your holiday party with a pitcher of Kringle Juice for all your guests, and let North Shore Distillery’s holiday creation be the centerpiece of your festivities.
North Shore Distillery, 13990 Rockland Rd., Green Oaks.
Warmest Wishes Oatmeal Milk Stout | 7.3% ABV
Grab a can of festive cheer at Phase Three Brewing with their latest release, Warmest Wishes Oatmeal Milk Stout. This seasonal favorite is sessionable with a 7.3% ABV. Enjoy the big roasty flavor with a creamy chocolate blend and a velvety sweetness from the oats and milk sugar. This brew does contain lactose. Toast to the season with this delectable favorite by Phase Three Brewing!
Phase Three Brewing Company, 932 Donata Ct., Lake Zurich.
Smiling Is My Favorit
The Parlor at Pips Meadery has a festive drink inspired by the Christmas movie "Elf" for all the cotton-headed ninny muggins out there. Their holiday cocktail Smiling is My Favorit takes house-infused popcorn ball rum and blends it with an explosion of flavors, including molasses bitters, The Parlor at Pip Meadery's Banana Cake mead and egg whites. Topped with holiday kettle corn, this festive libation pairs perfectly with the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. Head over to The Parlor at Pips Meadery this December to spread holiday cheer and try this delicious drink.
The Parlor at Pips Meadery, 1350 Tri-State Parkway, Suite 124 Gurnee.
Jubilation Winter IPA | 6.8% ABV
Roaring Table Brewing's new seasonal release, Jubilation Winter IPA, has a lot to offer your palate during the holidays. With the foundation of a classic American IPA, Jubilation features crystal malts and a catalog of "C" hops—Cascade, Cashmere, Centennial, Chinook and Columbus. Sip and savor the grapefruit, pine resin and caramel candy flavors in a glass that highlights the beautiful honeyed amber color.
Roaring Table Brewing Co., 739 W IL State Rte 22, Lake Zurich.
Tiny Tim's Cookie Beer | 8.5% ABV
Steep Ravine Brewing Company is turning the holiday season into a can of pure joy with Tiny Tim’s Cookie Beer, a delicious gingerbread stout. Immerse yourself in the delightful combination of gingerbread and aromatic spices that characterize the ideal holiday beer. Tiny Tim’s Cookie Beer achieves the perfect balance, offering a nuanced sweetness that pairs seamlessly with the comforting snap of a ginger cookie. Whether you're toasting to festive gatherings or seeking the perfect accompaniment to a plate of ginger snaps, Steep Ravine Brewing Company has crafted a holiday delight that's sure to delight your taste buds.
Steep Ravine Brewing Company, 582 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park.
Black Forest Bedtime Story Black Lager | 4.8% ABV
Lake Zurich's Roaring Table Brewing has unveiled another unique creation, Black Forest Bedtime Story. This crisp Black Lager is inspired by the traditions of Germany's Black Forest region and inspires a combination of tastes to your palate: hearty roasted malts, notes of chocolate and coffee and a comforting finish that has you savoring every single sip. Perfect for a calm winter night, the Black Forest Bedtime Story will be a hit for you and yours this holiday season.
Tangled Roots Craft Beer and Kitchen, 899 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills.
Hat Trick Tripel | 8.9% ABV
Beer enthusiasts will love Tighthead Brewing’s bold and flavorful Hat Trick Tripel, a Belgian-Style Trappist Ale that pays homage to the Trappist monks who have brewed this beer for centuries. Made with European pilsner malt, aromatics and Sterling and Czech Saaz hops, this creation promises a taste experience like no other. This seasonal brew is available on tap or in four packs until it's all gone.
Tighthead Brewing Company, 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein.
Elf Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey | 33.3% ABV
28 Mile Distilling Co. introduces a bewitching elixir to its lineup with their Elf Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey, a captivating blend of flavors that transcends the ordinary. This magical concoction weaves together enchanting notes of butterscotch and whiskey, creating an experience so mythical that some jest there might be an actual elf inside every bottle. Embrace the magic, savor the smoothness, and make every sip a memorable experience with 28 Mile Distilling Co.'s enchanting Elf Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey.
28 Mile Distilling Co., 454 Sheridan Rd., Highwood.
Valentino Red Port 2016
Impress your holiday guests with the Valentino Red Port 2016 from Valentino Vineyards and Winery in Long Grove. This beautiful bold dessert wine is barrel-aged, with notes of blackberry and hints of dark chocolate. Pair this port during the holiday season with chocolate desserts, tiramisu or cheesecake, or enjoy a glass by itself after dinner. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this sweet, delectable wine.
Valentino Vineyards Inc., 5175 Aptakisic Rd., Long Grove.
Zwickl Kellerbier | 3.9% ABV
Wild Onion Brewery and Banquets is introducing a new easy sipper this season, the low-alcohol, low-gluten and low-calorie Zwickl Kellerbier. This brew is crisp, hazy and light without sacrificing a terrific flavor. Grab a pint and enjoy this easy drinking beer from Wild Onion this holiday season.
Wild Onion Brewery, 22221 N. Pepper Rd. Lake Barrington.
Learn more about the Lake County Libation Trail and see all the holiday happenings in the land of lakes this season.
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